Managing expectations for a team in rebuild mode yet somehow finding themselves in a divisional battle is a complex thing to monitor and digest weekly. The Falcons were never built to be a playoff team in 2022. They were in the process of assembling pieces to build a foundation for future success. That is still the case, despite the unexpected fortune of playing in the worst division in football.
Arthur Smith’s team has done plenty to insert themselves at the top of the NFC South in October. They built a strong-minded, downhill running identity with a young defense making timely plays to do just enough to get stops.